Improvement in breech-loading fire-arms



F. J. ABBEY & J. H. FOSTER. Improvement in Breach-Loading Fire-Arms.

No. 114,081, PafenfedApri|25,1s71.

Km exxk ma g UNrrED STATES' PATENT QEEICEo FREDERICK J. ABBEY AND JAMESH. FOSTER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN BREECH-LO'ADING FIRE-ARMS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 114,081, dated April25, 1871.

section of our invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same, showingthe moving parts thereof, and Fig. 3 is a top view of the slide employedin adjusting the levers.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in the several gures ofthe drawing.

Our invention relates to that class of breechloading fire-arms in whichthe barrel is pivoted to the breech-plate, and so arranged as to admitof a tilting movement; and the improvements consist of the mechanism forlocking the barrels in position, by which the same is prevented fromdrawing forward or moving upward when discharged, a more full andparticular description of which is hereinafter set forth. j

-In the accompanying drawing, A represents the breech-plate, which maybe as shown, or

maybe any suitable form that will receive the moving parts connectedtherewith. Pivoted to the rear end of said breech-plate are levers B B,the upper ends of which are made round, and bent or slightly curvedforward, in line one with the other. Fitted within-the apertures, cuttransversely through said breechplate near its upper surface, are boltsC C', which are so arranged as to admit of a sliding movement. The saidbolts are provided near their inner ends with apertures, into which theupper end of levers B B are loosely fitted; thus, as the said levers aremoved on their fulcrum, the bolts are moved in the direction of theirlength to or from the center. In the rear end of said breech-plate, nearthe lower end of said levers, is a longitudinal mortise, within which isloosely tted a metal slide, D, the

rear portion of which is provided with a V-` shaped slot, into which thelower ends of said levers pass. Pivoted to the lower side of said wardpressure of the spring. Solidly conl nected to the lower side of thebarrel, near its rear end, is a lug, Gr, which is loosely fitted withina slot, H, in the end of the breech-plate, and is rmly secured thereinby a bolt, I, passing through the same, the arrangement of which is suchas to allow the barrel to be tilted upward at the breech-for the purposeof introducing the cartridge. Affixed to the upper side of the barrel isa projection, J, which fits a corresponding recess, J', in the upperside of the breech-plate. Within said projection is an aperture, e,passing laterally through the same,`into which the inner ends of saidbolts C C pass when the barrel is in position. Solidly attached to thelower side of the barrel, at the breech, is' a lug, K, the rear side ofwhich is provided with a hook, f, as shown in Fig. l. The rear surfaceof said lug below the hook is of peculiar shape, being slightly curvedbackward and upward to a point near its center vertically, thenceslightly beveled forward to the surface of the hook, making lessresistance to the slide than would be the case if made in the ordinarymanner, and allowing the slide more readily to enter the hook. Thus, asthe barrel is tilted downward into position, the curved surface of thelug is brought in contact with and against the forward end of slide D,the end of which is curved on its upper side approximating to the curveof the lug, by which the said slide is forced backward, bringing theinner surface of the V- shaped slot in contact with the lower ends oflevers B B, forcing the same outward laterally at the lower and upperends, which moves bolts C C outward to allow projection J of the barrelto enter recess J of the breech-plate.

The barrel being in position, slide D is forced forward into the nicheof the hook, the same being beveled on its lower side to admit of a freeand easy movement, imparted by the action of spring F upon lever E,tilting the upper end of the same forward, by which the outer surface'of the V-shaped slot is brought in contact with the levers, which forcesbolts C Cinto apertures e of the projection J, thus rnily lookin g thebarrels in position. When it is desired to tilt the breech upwardpreparatory to introducing the cartridge, pressure is applied to therear side of lever E, inoving the saine on its fulcrurn, which movessaid slide backward, withdrawing Athe bolts from the apertures, thusallowing the barrels to be tilted upon their fulcruin to the desiredposition.

Having thus described our invention, what from, and within a lateralperforation or open- V ing, e, of the projection J, substantially asand,

for the purpose described.

2. The projection J of the barrel, with its lateral perforation e, incombination with bolts C G, substantially as and for the purposedescribed.

described.

FREDERICK J. ABBEY. JAMES H. FOSTER'.

Witnesses:

N. C. GRIDLEY, N. H. SHERBURNE.

